Limestone EMA to host storm spotter training

Feb. 07--This week marked the 10th anniversary of the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak that killed 57 people in several states, including Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee.

During that event, 87 tornadoes were reported over a period of 15 hours. A tornado damaged multiple structures outside Moulton in Lawrence County, and three people were killed near Aldridge Grove.

Though a tornado warning was issued for Limestone County, the storm lifted before it got here. Limestone wasn't spared on April 27, 2011, and April 28, 2014; four were killed in 2011, and two died in 2014. Homes and structures were damaged in tornadoes in 2012 and 2013, but no fatalities were reported.

Severe weather and tornadoes are a part of life in the Tennessee Valley, which lies in a region meteorologists refer to as "Dixie Alley." As Limestone County's population grows, some may be unaware spring is the region's primary severe weather season.

To that end, the Limestone County Emergency Management Agency will again offer a storm spotter training class at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20. The free class is led by a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Huntsville and EMA officials.

EMA spokeswoman Daphne Ellison previously said the spotter class is good for the average person to help officials track storms and see the things radar cannot. Participants receive instruction on basic meteorology, including cloud types, storm formations, storm features, how to read radar and what to include in a weather service report.

The course will be held at the EMA's office at 1011 W. Market St., Athens. Ellison said if more than 50 people sign up, the class will be held elsewhere. Those interested in taking the course should register by no later than Wednesday, Feb. 14. Call 256-232-2631 to reserve a spot.

Severe weather tax holiday

The city of Athens and Limestone County will again participate in the annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, which runs from Friday, Feb. 23, through Sunday, Feb. 25. Residents are encouraged to stock up on a variety of supplies for protecting their homes or businesses during tornado and hurricane seasons.

The Athens City Council and Limestone County Commission passed resolutions to participate in the holiday in October.

Ellison said the tax-free holiday should provide residents substantial savings where batteries and emergency supplies are concerned. She also urged preparedness at home and on the road.

"If you don't have an emergency plan, now's a good time to get one together," she said. "It's also a good time for people to prepare a safety kit for home and their vehicles and get to know where the storm shelters are. A lot of people wait until we go under a (tornado) warning before they decide to go somewhere."

The following list contains examples of items covered under the Severe Weather Preparedness tax holiday. Items that have a sales price of $60 or less per item:

--Batteries: AAA batteries, AA batteries, C batteries, D batteries, 6-volt batteries, 9-volt batteries. (NOTE: coin batteries, automobile batteries and boat batteries are not tax-exempt.);

--Cellphone battery;

--Cellphone charger;

--Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two-way radio, weather-band radio or NOAA weather radio;

--Portable self-powered light source, including battery-powered flashlights, lanterns or emergency glow sticks;

--Tarpaulin, plastic sheeting, plastic dropcloths and other flexible, waterproof sheeting;

--Ground anchor system, such as tie-down kits or bungee cords or rope;

--Duct tape;

--Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings;

--Non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container;

--Non-electric can opener;

--Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs or reusable ice;

--Self-contained first aid kit;

--Fire extinguisher;

--Smoke detector;

--Carbon monoxide detector; and

--Gas or diesel fuel tank or container.

Items that have a sales price of $1,000 or less include portable generators and power cords.

For more information, visit https://revenue.alabama.gov/sales-use/sales-tax-holidays/.

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